The Northern Colorado senior cornerback wants to prove he still could be playing at the FBS level if he wanted to. He just chose not to.

Owens will get that chance Saturday. He returns to the place where his college football career started as the Bears take on Colorado State at Hughes Stadium.

“It is very important to me to go in there and have a great game against them and win the game,” Owens said. “I try not to look at it as any different than any other game that I go into, though. At the same time, it does put a chip on your shoulder to face a team you knew already.”

Owens spent three seasons with the Rams, redshirting his freshman year. However, after two seasons under CSU coach Steve Fairchild, Owens just didn’t feel at home anymore in Fort Collins.

Owens was recruited under former CSU coach Sonny Lubick, whom he respected greatly. After Fairchild took over, Owens didn’t feel it was in his best interest to remain with the Rams.

Though he grew up in California, Owens didn’t want to leave Colorado when he decided to transfer, so when former UNC coach Scott Downing made him an offer, he couldn’t pass it up.

“I was young, just coming out of high school (in 2007), and my family just kind of passed me over to Lubick as a young kid, and (then) all that falls out from under me,” said Owens, who started five games in two seasons at CSU. “It worked out for the best. Everything happens for a reason, so I feel like I was destined to come here.”

It worked out for UNC, as well. The Bears got a cornerback who came in right away and had an impact. Owens started four games last season and has found a place in the starting lineup this year.

“I think he brings a quiet confidence to our defense,” UNC defensive coordinator Zach Shay said. “He is not a real vocal guy, but he has got a good skill set. He runs well, and he has got good feet. He pays attention, and he wants to be good.”

Owens believes he is ready for the test against CSU quarterback Pete Thomas. UNC coach Earnest Collins Jr. knows Owens is ready for the challenge.

“He’s going back to where he started at, and he has got something to prove,” Collins said. “So hopefully, he gets the chance to do that. As long as it is in the confines of what we do on defense, I want him to go ahead and shine.”

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